Starting device for an internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

An electric motor is coupled by a coupling device having an overrunning clutch to an internal combustion engine for starting same. When the engine starts, the clutch overruns allowing the coupling device to be safely disconnected. The coupling device includes an output shaft which is releasably connected to the gasoline engine by a threaded connection which will be unscrewed from the coupling device if the overrunning clutch malfunctions after the engine has started.

[451 May 27, 1975 United States Patent 1191 Pfeiifer 1 1 STARTING DEVICE FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE [75] Inventor: Peter W. Pfeiffer, San Marino, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Colleen B. Hamilton, Arcadia, Calif. Primary ExaminerCharles .l. Myhre Filed: y 1973 Assistant Exammer-W. Rutledge, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John Holtrichter, Jr.

App]. No.: 376,671

[57] ABSTRACT An electric motor is coupled by a coupling device hav- [52] US. 123/179 SE; 123/185 F [51] Int. F02n 11/14; FOZn 11/10 ing an overrunning clutch to an internal combustion [58] Field of 2 engine for starting same. When the engine starts, the clutch overruns allowing the coupling device to be References Cited safely disconnected. The coupling device includes an UNITED STATES PATENTS output shaft which is releasably connected to the gasoline engine by a threaded connection which will be un- 123/179 SE screwed from the coupling device if the overrunning 3/ SE X clutch malfunctions after the engine has started.

123/179 SE Duncan... 123/179 SE X 7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Higert min a t e n me b u PH 4789 5555 9999 1111 979 77 050 643 6040 13 2222 STARTING DEVICE FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The background of the invention will be set forth in two parts.

1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains generally to the field of engine starter accessories and particularly to a starting device for an internal combustion engine which may be readily connected to, and disconnected from, the engine.

2. Description of the Prior Art Several engine starter accessories are described in the prior art patents which have been made of-record in separate communication to the Commissioner of Patents.

The starting device of the present invention exemplifies improvements over these prior art engine starter accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the persent invention is to provide a new and useful engine starter accessory.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a starting device for internal combustion engines which may be readily connected to, and removed from, the engine.

According to the present invention a starting device is provided for an internal combustion engine having an attachment point on an output shaft. The starting device includes an elongated body member having an axial bore at one end and a driven shaft extending axially from the other end of the body member. The driven shaft is affixed to the body member for imparting rotation thereto.

An electric drill, or other suitable means, may be coupled to the driven shaft for imparting rotation thereto. The starting device includes an overrunning clutch which is mounted in the axial bore and which includes a first member coupled to the body member for rotation thereby. The overrunning clutch also includes a second member and the starting device includes a driving shaft having a first and rotatably mounted in the clutch and a second, free end. The first end of the driving shaft is operatively associated with the second clutch member for releasable engagement thereby when the first clutch member is rotated in a first direction. The free end of the driving shaft carries coupling means for releasably coupling the driving shaft to the attachment point for rotating the output shaft on the engine to start the engine.

The driving shaft is automatically released from the second clutch member when the engine starts. However, if the overrunning clutch malfunctions and fails to automatically release the driving shaft, the starting device is released from the attachment point on the engine by a threaded connection which unscrews the free end of the driving shaft from the attachmenbpoint coupling means.

The overrunning clutch is shown and described for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, as comprising a roller clutch having rollers which grip the driving shaft when the clutch is rotated in a first direction and which release the driving shaft when the engine starts, thereby rotating the driving shaft at a different speed than the overrunning clutch.

A number of different embodiments of driving-shaft coupling means are disclosed for attachment to different types of attachment points on the output shafts of internal combustion engines.

The features of the present. invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by making reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a starting device of the present invention indicating somewhat schematically a driving means for the driven-shaft portion of the starting device;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the starting device of FIG. 1 showing a first embodiment of a coupling means for connecting the starting device to an internal combustion engine;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged, partial cross sectional views of the overrunning-clutch portion of the starting device showing the relative position of the operating portions thereof under different operating conditions;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an internal combustion engine which may be started by the starting device of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modified coupling device for coupling the starting device of FIG. 1 to an internal combustion engine;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another modified coupling device for coupling the starting device of FIG. 1 to an internal combustion engine;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged elevational views of still other modified forms of coupling devices which may be used for coupling the starting device of FIG. 1 to an internal combustion engine; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a square drive coupling device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring again to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-5, a starting device constituting a first embodiment of the present invention, generally designated 10, includes an elongated body member 12 having an axial bore 14 at one end 16 and a driven shaft 18 extending axially from the other end 20 thereof. The driven shaft 18 is fixed to the body member 12 in a manner to be hereinafter described for imparting rotation thereto.

Suitable means, such as the chuck 21 of an electric drill (not shown) may be coupled to the driven shaft 18 for imparting rotation thereto through an overrunning clutch means 22 mounted in the axial bore 14. The overrunning clutch 22 includes a first member 24 coupled to the body member 12 for rotation thereby and a second member 26.

The starting device 10 also includes a driving shaft 28 having a first end 30 rotatably mounted in the clutch 22 and a second, free end 32. The first end 30 is operatively associated with the second clutch member 26 for engagement thereby when the first clutch member 24 is rotated in a first direction. The driving shaft 28 is automatically released from the second clutch member 26 when there is a difference between the direction or speeds of rotation of the driven shaft 28 and the first clutch member 24.

The second end 32 of the driving shaft 28 carries a coupling member 34 which may be used to releasably couple driving shaft 28 to a suitable attachment point 36 (FIG. on an internal combustion engine 38 for rotating the output shaft portion thereof (not shown), thereby starting engine 38. Coupling member 34 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, as comprising an 11/16 inch socket having a square opening 40 (FIG. 2) formed in the rear wall 42 thereof. The diameter of end 32 of driving shaft 28 exceeds the size of opening 40 so that end 32 will abut wall 42 and is releasably held in frictional engagement therewith by a bolt 44 having a head 46 engaging the front surface 48 of rear wall 42 and a threaded shank 50 threadedly engaging internal threads 51 provided in end 32 of driving shaft 28. Assuming that engine 38 is started by rotating its output shaft in clockwise direction, then a right hand thread would be chosen for bolt 44 to prevent excessive torque from being transmitted in a counterclockwise direction should the overrunning clutch 22 fail to automatically release driving shaft 28 when engine 38 starts. End 32 of driving shaft 28 may be provided with a pair of flat surfaces 52, 54 which may be engaged by a suitable wrench to prevent shaft 28 from rotating when bolt 44 is tightened.

The elongated body member 12 may comprise a hollow, steel cylindrical member 56 in the end 20 of which an aluminum collar or thrust block 58 (FIG. 2) is press fitted. The driven shaft 18 may be made from a suitable hardened steel and may be given a hexagonal shape so that shaft 18 may be non-rotatably mounted in an aperture 60 provided in block 58. A steel ball 62 may also be mounted in aperture 60 between one end 64 of shaft 18 and the first end 30 of shaft 28 to serve as a thrust bearing. The overrunning clutch 22 is of the drawncup, roller type. The first member 24 is a solid cage having an encompassing side wall 68 and end walls 70, 72. Wall 68 is mounted in bore 14 and frictionally engages cylindrical member 56 with a press fit. End walls 70, 72 are each provided with an aperture 74 in which the first end 30 of shaft 28 is rotatably mounted. Thrust bearing 62 prevents excessive sliding movement of shaft 28 in one direction and a clip-type retainer ring 76 engages a groove 78 in shaft 28 to prevent excessive sliding movement of shaft 28 in the other, opposite direction by engaging end wall 72 on member 24.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the second clutch member 26 includes a retainer 80 which carries a plurality of rollers 82 each biased by a spring 85 toward the low end 84 of an interior ramp 86 formed on the interior surface of side wall 68 adjacent each roller 82 for wedging rollers 82 into driving engagement with shaft 28 when driven shaft 18 is rotated in a first direction. However, rollers 82 are released from wedging engagement between ramp 86 and shaft 28 when the relative rotation between shafts 18 and 28 become opposite to each other by becoming relieved into the space formed by the high end 88 of its associated ramp 86. Shaft 28 is supported for rotation within clutch 22 by a brass bushing 90 which is press fit into bore 14.

Attachment point 36 may comprise an 11/16 inch nut on the output shaft of engine 38 which may be engaged directly by coupling member 34. Alternatively, the attachment point may comprise a screen 36A (FIGS. 6 and 7) which rotates with the output shaft of engine 38. Screen 36A may be rotated by a nut plate 92A (FIG. 6) or by a nut plate 928 (FIG. 7). The nut plate 92A may be in the form of a circular rubber disc disengageably coupled to the screen 36A by pegs 96A affixed to and outwardly projecting from the disc 92A and adapted to penetrate the screen, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Shaft 28 may be coupled to nut plate 92A by a bolt 44A. The nut plate may also be in the form of a generally rectangular metal plate 923 having affixed thereto an 11/16 inch nut 97, which may be engaged by coupling member 34, and bolts or other suitable fastening means 96B for affixing the plate 92B to the screen 36A, as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 discloses an attachment point 36B which may comprise a crank pulley or the like on engine 38. Attachment point 36B may be rotated by a coupling member 34B in the form of a friction pad connected to shaft 28 by bolt 44.

Some internal combustion engines of the type described are provided with an attachment point in the form of a starter ratchet mechanism 36C, as illustrated in FIG. 9. This type of mechanism generally has a significant amount of free rotation in the engine starting direction before its shaft 98 locks to the mechanisms body 100, the latter being fixedly attached by suitable fastening means 102 to the engines output shaft. In order to prevent possible dangerous and damaging impacts caused by the free rotation of the mechanism 36C, an elastomeric sleeve 104 is fitted over the shaft 98 so that it is compressed by the insertion of the coupling member 34 over the shaft 98 against the body to defeat the ratchet characteristic of the mechanism 36C while the starting device 10 is being operated.

As best shown in FIG. 10, coupling member 34 may be replaced by a square drive coupling member 34C which carries a threaded bolt 44C that threadably engages shaft 28. Coupling member 34C is adapted to engage an attachment point (not shown) in the form of a socket, or it may be used for coupling to any desired conventional drive sockets.

Operation of the starting device 10 will be described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 5 wherein coupling member 34 may be engaged over attachment point 36 and the drill chuck 21 may be rapidly rotated by energizing the electric drill (not shown) to which it is connected. This rotates driven shaft 18 which, in turn, rotates body member 12 and the first clutch member 24. Rotation of the first clutch member 24 causes rollers 82 to become, almost immediately, wedged between their ramps 86 and shaft 28 imparting rotation thereto for rotating attachment point 36. This rotates the output shaft of engine 38 causing it to start. Once engine 38 starts, attachment point 36 will rotate at a different speed than the first clutch member 24. Rollers 82 then move into the high end 88 of ramps 86 releasing rollers 82 from shaft 28. If clutch 22 malfunctions so that rollers 82 are not relieved from shaft 28, coupling member 34 will be disconnected from shaft 28 by the unthreading of bolt 44.

Although certain specific materials have been specified for use in fabricating the items of the present invention, it should be noted that the materials used in this fabrication are not considered critical and any materials generally considered satisfactory for a particular use or function may be utilized.

From the foregoing, it should be evident that there has herein been described an engine starting device that is virtually instantaneous in its action to prevent possible dangerous and damaging impact or chattering and that includes a safety feature which uncouples the source of driving power from the internal combustion engine in the event the overriding clutch portion of the starting device should ever malfunction.

Although examplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, changes and modifications and other embodiments of the invention may be made by one having ordinary skills in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A starting device for coupling a rotary starting motor to a starting attachment point of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

an elongated body member having an axial bore at one end and a rotary starting motor driven shaft extending axially from the other end,

an elongated driving shaft having an inner end and an outer end,

overrunning clutch means mounted in said axial bore of said body member and including an outer member affixed to the wall of said axial bore and having an inclined ramp retainer and a plurality of rollers operatively associated with said retainer and said inner end of said driving shaft for connecting said driving shaft to said body member to turn therewith in the same normal rotational direction,

engine starting attachment means for applying starting rotational movement to a starting point of an internal combustion engine, and

safety connecting means releasably connecting said driving shaft to said attachment means for automatically uncoupling said driving shaft from said attachment means if the rotational speed of the attachment means is greater than that of the driving shaft.

2. The starting device according to claim I, wherein said attachment means includes a socket wrench coupling member.

3. The starting device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means includes a square drive coupling member.

4. The starting device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means includes a plate member adapted to be attached to a screen starting attachment point of an internal combustion engine.

5. The starting device according to claim 4, wherein said plate member includes means for releasably attaching said plate member to a screen-type starting attachment point.

6. The starting device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means includes a friction disc.

7. The starting device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means includes an elastomeric sleeve and an engine starter ratchet mechanism shaft coupling member, said sleeve including an engine starter ratchet-mechanism shaft-accommodating bore, and frictionally engaging said coupling member at one end thereof, the opposite end of said sleeve being adapted to engage the body of an engine starter ratchet mechanism.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,885 ,544 DATED May 27, 1975 INVENTOR(S) Peter W. Pfeiffer it is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the first page, above the first column, "Pfeiffer" should be Pfeiffer et al-; and Column 1 at [75] should read Inventors: Peter W. Pfeiffer, San Marino, Calif. and Lawrence E. Hamilton, Arcadia, Calif..

Signed and Sealed this tenth Day Of February 1976 [SEAL] A ms t:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner oj'PaIents and Trademarks 

1. A starting device for coupling a rotary starting motor to a starting attachment point of an internal combustion engine, comprising: an elongated body member having an axial bore at one end and a rotary starting motor driven shaft extending axially from the other end, an elongated driving shaft having an inner end and an outer end, overrunning clutch means mounted in said axial bore of said body member and including an outer member affixed to the wall of said axial bore and having an inclined ramp retainer and a plurality of rollers operatively associated with said retainer and said inner end of said driving shaft for connecting said driving shaft to said body member to turn therewith in the same normal rotational direction, engine starting attachment means for applying starting rotational movement to a starting point of an internal combustion enGine, and safety connecting means releasably connecting said driving shaft to said attachment means for automatically uncoupling said driving shaft from said attachment means if the rotational speed of the attachment means is greater than that of the driving shaft.
 2. The starting device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means includes a socket wrench coupling member.
 3. The starting device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means includes a square drive coupling member.
 4. The starting device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means includes a plate member adapted to be attached to a screen starting attachment point of an internal combustion engine.
 5. The starting device according to claim 4, wherein said plate member includes means for releasably attaching said plate member to a screen-type starting attachment point.
 6. The starting device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means includes a friction disc.
 7. The starting device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment means includes an elastomeric sleeve and an engine starter ratchet mechanism shaft coupling member, said sleeve including an engine starter ratchet-mechanism shaft-accommodating bore, and frictionally engaging said coupling member at one end thereof, the opposite end of said sleeve being adapted to engage the body of an engine starter ratchet mechanism. 